Geranium Bronze vs Comma Butterfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Geranium Bronze | Comma Butterfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cacyreus marshalli | Polygonia c-album |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lycaenidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 18-23 mm wingspan | 44-48 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Orchards |
| Diet | Omnivores | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Native to South Africa; invasive in Mediterranean Europe | Europe, North Africa, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Geranium Bronze
A small dull brown butterfly with a distinctive white fringe and thin tail that has become a major pest of cultivated geraniums in Europe. Its larvae bore into geranium buds and stems.
Did You Know?
Since its accidental introduction to Majorca in 1990, it has spread across most of southern Europe.
Comma Butterfly
Orange butterfly with ragged wing edges and a small white comma-shaped mark on the underside. The irregular outline mimics a dead leaf.
Did You Know?
Its range has expanded northward in Britain over recent decades, likely due to climate warming.